Collapsible box.



H. DAVIS.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. I916.

Patmlted June 26, 1917.

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COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2| l916- Patented June 26, 1917.

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COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2.19%.

1,23 1,50%, Patented June 26, 1917.

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UNTTED %TATF% PATENT @FFTQE.

HUGH DAVIS, OIF MELVIN, MICHIGAN.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

Application filed August 2, 1916.

T0 (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH DAvIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Melvin, in the county of Sanilac and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible boxes, crates, or the like wherein the box, when not in use, may be compactly folded to facilitate the shipping of the same.

The paramount characteristic of this invention resides in the provision of a collapsible box in which the component parts of the box may be securely locked in either folded or extended position and thereby produce an article whichis strong and durab le in its construction to permit the safe shipping of goods from place to place.

Another characteristic of this invention isto provide a device of this character in which the top or cover of the box isutilized for locking the box in folded position, the locking means being carried by the top Ironember and engageable with the side memers.

A further characteristic is to provide a collapsible box which is simple and durable in its construction, and furthermore a box which may be manufactured at a nominal cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the specification is read in connec tion with the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the box showing the same in extended position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parts in folded position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the top or cover.

Figs. 7 to 9 are detailed views of the inven'tion.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my invention comprises a bottom member A which is in this instance of rectangular formation and preferably constructed of wood or the like. Arranged upon the top side of the bottom member A are the side Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 191?.

Serial No. 112,803.

members, generally indicated as at B, which comprise in this instance a bottom section 1 which is rigidly secured to the bottom memher A adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, while hingedly secured to the upper side of the bottom section as at 2 is an intermediate section 3, the same being mounted for outward swinging movement. Hingedly secured to the upper side of the intermediate section 8 as at A is a top section 5, the same being. mounted for inward swinging movement as is clearly illustrated. The top section is relatively wider than the remaining sections, the bottom section 1 and the intermediate section 3 being substantially of the same width. The side members B are preferably formed of wood and are provided upon their outer faces with reinforcing metal strips 6, the strips being preferably arranged adjacent the opposite ends of the sections and extending transversely of the same. The bottom member A is also provided with a reinforcing strip 7 which extends around the edge of the bottom member whereupon the accidental chipping of the wood will be prevented.

The end members which are generally indicated as at C are arranged between the side members B and are hingedly mounted for inward swinging movement. To permit the compact folding of the end members one upon the other, I form one of the end members of sections 8 and 9, the bottom section 8 being rigidly secured to the top side of the bottom member A and of such length as to have the opposite ends thereof engaging the bottom sections of the side members B, while the top section 9 is hingedly mounted upon the bottom section 8 for inward swinging movement. The bottom section 8 is of a width corresponding to the width of the other end member C, the latter being hingedly secured to the bottom member A and mounted for inward. swinging movement, whereby when the end members are in folded position, the integral end member will lie contiguous to the bottom member A while, the sectional end member will have its top section 9 overlying the integral end member.

To securely lock the box in extended po sition, I provide the movable sections of the side members B with metal flanges 10 and 11, which are arranged upon the confronting faces of the sections adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the flanges extending laterally and transversely of the sections as is clearly shown in the drawings. The flanges 11 are formed on the top sections 5 of the side members and are provided with integrally formed hooks 12, while the inner ends are curved in the form of an arch as at 13. The flanges 10 formed upon the intermediate sections 3 have their upper ends curved inwardly in the form of an arch as at 1% to accommodate the adjacent ends of the flanges 11 whereby the sections may be folded into compact position as will be understood. The end members C have their vertical edges recessed longitudinally to provide the channels 15, the channels 15 being of such a depth as to readily receive the flanges 10 and 11. To look the flanges Within the channels and thereby lock the side members to the end members, the end members G are provided adjacent their 11pper ends with spring pressed latches 16, the latches extending through the channels 15 and having one end thereof normally projecting beyond the outer side of the end members. The latches 16 are adapted to engage in hooks 12 when the latter are within the channels, he latches being recessed as at 17 to permit the releasing of the hooks as will be understood. The recessed portion 17 of the latches is normally disposed at one side of the channel whereby upon pressing the projected edge of the latch inwardly against the tension of the spring, the recessed portion 17 will be moved into registration with the channel thereby permitting the hooks 12 to be removed. To further prevent the hooks from accidentally disengaging the latches, the upper edges of the end members are provided with resilient metallic strips 18 which have their opposite ends overlying the ends of the channels. It will be seen from this construction that when the hooks 12 are inserted into the channels, the strips 18 will resiliently engage the hooks and thus prevent accidental upward movement of the hooks as will be understood.

The end members C may be provided with reinforcing strips 19 which extend vertically of the members and are arranged adj acent the opposite ends, thereof, the strips being perforated to receive the projected ends of the latches 16.

The top member which is generally indi cated as at D is preferably of rectangular formation and is provided upon its edges With reinforcing strips 20, while the top side is provided with transversely extending strips 21. The underside of the top member D has arranged thereupon longitudinal extending spaced locking members 22, the members 22 being mounted for sliding movement transversely of the top. The

members 22are provided adjacent the opposite ends with ears 23 which are slid'ably mounted upon the rods 24:, the latter being arranged within the recesses 25 formed on the underside of the top member. Surrounding the rods 24: are the coil retractile springs 26 which are arranged upon the outer side of the ears 23 and adapted to exert their tension to normally force the members 22 toward each other. To prevent lateral movement or wabbling of the locking members 22, I provide the membersat their medial portions with extensions 27, the latter being formed with wings 28 which are mounted for sliding movement within the slot 29 of the plate 30. The plates 30 are secured to the end side of the top member D and are countersunk to receive the wings 28 between the plate and the underside of the top member. It will be evident from this construction that the extensions 27 and wings 28 serve to properly guide the locking members during the sliding movement and to prevent wabbling of the locking members to cause the same to properly perform their locking function as will be hereinafter described. The top member 1) is further provided upon its underside with hasps 31 which are arranged adjacent the opposite ends thereof and which are adapted to receive the projected ends of the latches 16 when the top is in applied position upon the extended box. The latches 16 may be provided with openings 32 through which a padlock may be passed whereby the re moval of the hasps willbe prevented to lock the top member upon the box.

In practice, when the box is in extended position, the side members B and the end members C are arranged in vertical posi tion as shown in Fig. l'of the drawing, the flanges 10 and 11 being disposed within the channels 15; the hooks 12 engaging the latches 16 while the opposite ends of the strips 18 engage the upper ends of the flanges to lock the hooks within the channels as has been described. It will thus be seen that the side and end members are now locked together in extended formation and the accidental parting of the same is prevented, itbeing understood that in forcing the latches inwardly against the tension of the springs, the hooks will be released as has been described. The top member D is arranged upon theupper edges of' the end members, the locking members 22 engaging the confronting faces of the side members as is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The hasps are now moved into engagement with the projected ends of the latches 16 and a padlock may be inserted through the openings 32 thus securing the top member upon the box and thereby preventing the collapsing of the same. v

When it is desired to collapse or fold the box to a position as shown in Fig. 4:, the top member D is removed by removing the padlocks whereupon the latches are moved to released position thereby releasing the hooks 12 to permit the side and end members to be separated. This separation is accomplished by swinging the sections 5 and 3 of side members B outwardly upon hinges 2 thus withdrawing the flanges 10 and 11 and hooks 12 from channels 15 of end members C. The end members C are now swung inwardly so as to engage the bottom member A, one end member overlying the other as has been described. The top sections 5 of the side members B are now swung inwardly toward each other so as to overlie the end members C, said intermediate sections 3 being swung back into vertical position, the folding arrangement being clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

To lock the box in folded position, I provide the lower longitudinal edge of the sections 5 with co-extensive grooves 33 the grooves being exposed and disposed exteriorly of the box when the side members B are in folded position. Cooperating-with the grooves 33 are the locking members 22 formed on the underside of the top as is previously described, the locking members being provided upon their confronting faces at opposite points with metallic lugs 34: which are adapted to be mounted within the grooves 33 to lock the top member upon the box when the latter is in folded position.

In applying the top member to the folded box as shown in Fig. A of the drawings, the locking members 22 are expanded or spread with relation to each other, against the tension of the coil springs 26, until there is ample space between the locking members to permit the application of the locking members to the lower or outer edge of the top sections 5 of the side members B. The locking members are now released whereby the springs will force them into engagement with the edges of the top sections and by moving the top member forwardly upon the sections, the lugs 3% will move into the grooves 33 thus locking the top member upon the sections and further locking the side and end members in folded position as will be understood.

It will be evident from the foregoing that I have provided a simple and etlicient means for locln'ng a collapsible box either in folded or extended position and that the said means is of such a character as to positively prevent movement of the component parts when in either folded or extended position.

It is thought from the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that the construction and operation of my device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that minor changes in size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim is 1. A folding box comprising a bottom member, sectional side members hingedly connected with each other and mounted for inward swinging movement, end members arranged between the side members and mounted for inward swinging movement, flanges formed on the side members, hooks carried by the flanges, the end members having channels formed therein to receive said flanges and hooks, and spring pressed means for locking the hoe-ks within the channel.

2. A folding box comprising a bottom member, side members mounted for inward swinging movement, end members disposed between the side members and mounted for inward swinging movement, means carried by the end members and engageable with the side members for locking the members in extended position, said side members being formed of hinged sections, one of the sections being formed with grooves, a top member, resilient means formed on the top member and engageable with said grooves for locking the box in folded position.

3. A folding box comprising a bottom member, sectional side members, said sections being hingedly connected with each other, end members arranged between the side members and hingedly mounted for inward swinging movement, flanges formed on the side members, said end members having channels formed therein, said channels receiving said flanges, means for locking the flanges within the channels, one of the sections of said end members being formed with grooves, and means formed on the top member and engageable with the grooves for locking the box in folded position.

4. A folding box comprising a. bottom member, side members hingedly mounted upon the bottom member for inward swinging movement, end members arranged between the side members and hingedly mounted for inward swinging movement, flanges formed on the side members, hooks carried by the flanges, said end members being formed with channels which are adapted to receive said hooks and flanges, spring pressed latches mounted within the channels and engageable with the hooks for locking the flanges within the channels, said latches normally projecting from the end members,

- a top member, and hasps formed on the top member and engageable with the latches for locking the top upon the box.

5. A folding box comprising a bottom member, lower side members mounted upon said bottom member for outward swinging movement, upper side members mounted upon said lower side members for inward swinging movement, flanges carried by said side members, end members mounted upon said bottom member for inward swinging movement and having channels adapted to engage the flanges of said side members, and means for locking said side members to said end members.

6. A folding box comprising a bottom member, lower side members mounted upon said bottom member for outward swinging movement, upper side members mounted upon said lower side members for inward swinging movement, flanges carried by said side members, end members mounted upon said bottom member for inward swinging movement and having channels adapted to engage the flanges of said side swinging movement, flanges mounted upon said side members, end members mounted. upon said bottom member for inward res-1 ,504

swinging movement, channels formed upon said end members adapted to engage said flanges, hooks formed on said flanges, spring pressed latches mounted upon sald end members and engageable with said hooks, a top movement, upper side members mounted upon said lower side members for inward swinging movement, flanges mounted upon said side members, end members mounted upon said bottom member for inward swinging movement, channels formed in said end members adapted to engage said flanges, hooks formed on said flanges, spring pressed latches mounted upon said end members and engageable with saidhooks, a top member, hasps mounted onthe top member and engageable with said latches, and-means mounted on said top member adapted to engage the side members and lock same when in folded position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HUGH DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D.'C. 

